Artwork by Alysha Menzel

Celebrating
First Nations Women

A special International Women’s Day Event

In partnership with

Artwork by proud Samsep woman, Alysha Menzel – @alyshamenzel

First Nations women have been at the forefront of change for tens of thousands of years. Their wisdom, resilience and leadership have played a crucial role in shaping our nation. Together with gender equality-focused organisation, Future Women, Witchery held a breakfast event on 8 March that brought together 460 people on Gadigal Country. We heard from a panel of prominent First Nations voices, who shared their stories, experiences and insights, as they moved the conversation forward for First Nations equality.

Here are the women whose voices had the stage, and whose illuminating knowledge and continuous work paves the way for much needed change in Australia.

Future Women

14
Mar
24

Future Women International Womens Day Event

Photography by Tomasz Machnik – @tomaszmachnik

Gabrielle Ebsworth

Gabrielle is a proud Wangkumara and Barkindji woman from Narromine, New South Wales. Gabrielle works in Indigenous health, policy and education and is a strong public healthcare advocate for emergency medicine, stroke care and culturally safe education.

Tanya Hosch

Tanya is the Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the Australian Football League and is a distinguished leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, advocacy and governance. She plays a pivotal role in implementing the AFL’s enhanced Indigenous strategy, advising the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, and shaping key policies.

Mundanara Bayles

Mundanara Bayles, a proud advocate for Indigenous communities, embodies a rich heritage from the Wonnarua, Bunjalung, Birri-Gubba, and Gungalu peoples. Currently pursuing a Masters in Indigenous Business Leadership, Bayles co-founded BlackCard Pty Ltd, fostering cultural understanding and empowerment within organisations.

Rachael Sarra

Rachael’s vibrant creative practice embodies her experience as a proud mixed race, First Nations woman from Goreng Goreng Country. She is a change-maker, redesigning how First Nations businesswomen navigate success while anchoring their business in culture. Building a business bigger than herself, she is committed to significant charitable donations and pro-bono work that has a tangible impact back into the community.

Jarin Baigent

Jarin is a Wiradjuri woman, dedicated consultant and the visionary founder of the Indigenous retail collective, Trading Blak. As of 2023, Baigent serves as the CEO of Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care, delivering culturally safe, high-quality care to elders in inner-Sydney. A devoted mother of three, Baigent passionately pursues grassroots, community-led, and self-determined pathways, impacting diverse areas within her Aboriginal community.

Alicia Veasey

Dr. Alicia Veasey is a proud Torres Strait Islander, obstetrician and gynaecologist specialising in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, she's committed to fighting against unfair treatment and racism in healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Apart from her medical work, she plays a crucial role in advocating for cultural safety and improving the health system in Queensland.

“What is needed is a mindset change about Aboriginal people being a problem, being a gap that needs to be filled. We are not. We are sovereign people.”

Speakers at Future Women International Womens Day Event
Artwork by Alysha Menzel

Witchery acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this event took place, the Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

In partnership with